Blessed with a rugged landscape and spectacular coastline, the island of Gozo is tranquil and verdant. Sleepy towns lay brimming with baroque architecture, gardens and churches, and only the occasional farmhouse punctuates the countryside. Such is the beauty here, that Gozo is thought to be the legendary Calypso's Isle of Homer's Odyssey - a peaceful, mystical backwater. From our base at the island’s top hotel, our self-guided walks will unveil the island's charm.

Walk profile

Daily distance in km/miles:

Day 2

7.0km/4.3miles

Day 3

14.0km/8.7miles

Day 4

10.0km/6.2miles

Day 6

13.0km/8.1miles

Day 7

11.0km/6.8miles

Number of days walking: 5

Pace: Leisurely: 3-4km/2-3miles an hour

Terrain: Low altitude; good paths

Itinerary

Show detailed itinerary

1Day 1Start Malta airport, transfer to Gozo.

An arrival transfer (including the ferry journey) is included from Malta Luqa Airport to the hotel in Gozo. Those who wish to take advantage of this transfer will be met at the airport by our taxi and taken to the ferry terminal. From here the crossing to Gozo is approximately 25 minutes, and from Gozo ferry terminal you will be transferred the remaining 10 minute drive to the hotel. The evening is at your leisure to settle in and unpack.

2Day 2Coastal walk from Mgarr port to the narrow creek of Mgarr ix-Xini.

Mgarr is Gozo's port, full of traditional and colourful luzzu fishing boats, and dominated by the 18C Fort Chambray, built by the Knights of St John. The path from here hugs the coast as far as the narrow creek of Mgarr ix-Xini where Turkish raiders landed in 1551 - the perfect place for a picnic and swim. From here you follow an old mule track up through the hotel's rocky grounds with fine views across to Malta, stopping to explore the remains of a copper age temple and Neolithic dolmen.

3Day 3Walk via Basilica Ta' Pinu, a Baroque church and stunning cliffs of the north coast.

The north-western corner of the island is only accessible on foot, along easy farm tracks. First stop is the remarkable neo-Romanesque basilica Ta' Pinu, a huge national shrine built on the site of a miracle in 1923. Your route then leads through unique ravine-like wieds to Gharb with its stunning Baroque church (1699) and traditional stone houses. The final stretch takes you along the striking cliffs of the north coast where you are rewarded with fantastic views across Gozo's famous salt pans. See more images and videos

4Day 4Hike to Xlendi bay.

The cliffs near Sannat are the highest and most dramatic cliffs on Gozo and, in late spring they are alive with Mediterranean shearwaters. The route takes you past breath-taking views towards Comino and Malta and down through tamarisk trees to the gorgeous Xlendi bay. Then it's up through the terraced fields, bright with poppies and fields of gladioli cultivated in rows like Provencal lavender. See more images and videos

5Day 5Free day; optional visit to Victoria or Ramla Beach.

A ride on one of Gozo's quirky buses to Xaghra starts your morning as you head towards the Ggantija Tombs, a massive free-standing temple of 6m-high monoliths, and Calypso's Cave. Lunch on Ramla Bay - undeniably the best beach on the island - then perhaps on to the lively capital, Victoria, for the afternoon. The bustling market square, used as a meeting place since Roman times, is dominated by the mediaeval citadel with spectacular views over the whole island. But the real charm lies in the maze of tiny back streets clustered around the Basilica, with carved stone balconies, flower-decked doorways and statuettes of the Madonna in street corner niches.See more images and videos

6Day 6Punic burial site and the Azure Window.

To the west coast and the fascinating Punic burial site at Wardija Point. There's a mythical feeling here, like being on the edge of the world. Narrow stone walled lanes lead down to bamboo groves and to Fungus Rock (named after the 'magic' plant which grew there) and the Azure Window (a stunning stone archway framing the blue sea and sky behind).

7Day 7Qala to Nadur via Dahlet Quorrot harbour and the hidden beach at San Blas Bay.

Beginning at Qala, it's an easy stroll to Dahlet Qorrot, a tiny harbour with gaily coloured boat houses. Then it's on through fragrant lemon groves, vineyards and past fig and peach trees to San Blas Bay, a hidden beach with gorgeous ochre-coloured sand. Your final stop is Nadur where the spectacular views at the end of the day are a great finale to your week. See more images and videos

8Day 8End Gozo, transfer to Malta airport.

The tour ends at our hotel after breakfast, however a departure transfer back to Malta Luqa Airport by road and ferry is included for those who wish to take advantage of this.See more images and videos

Your images

Self-guided

Why not enjoy some independence, with the flexibility of a self-guided holiday? You'll benefit from our quality research and support, but you can pace your holidays as you wish.

Activity level

You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.

What's included

What's included

All buffet breakfast, dinners

All accommodation (see below)

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Arrival & departure transfers - subject to 2 people traveling

Route notes and maps

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement from GBP196)

Visas or vaccinations

Travel to/from the start/end points

Accommodation details

Hotel Ta'Cenc - 5 Star

You will stay at one of Gozo's top hotels, the romantically secluded 5 star Ta’ Cenc, set in 400 acres of private grounds. Guests are accommodated in individual, tastefully furnished, air-conditioned stone bungalows, each with its own terrace. There are 2 enormous swimming pools, a hydro-massage Jacuzzi, a fitness centre, tennis courts and a private swimming cove.

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
Bristish passport holders do not need a visa for Malta.
There are no specific health risks. Holiday style

This holiday is a leisurely walk with occasional short climbs and descents to sea level. There are quiet lanes and farm tracks. The terrain is moderate with some small hills and the walking is often along ancient roads and old farm tracks. There are some steep descents down to the coast and the occasional rough, stony section.

Eating & drinking

Meals are usually served al fresco on the patio under a 200-year-old carob tree. Breakfast is an enormous hot and cold buffet, and dinner is a 4 - course affair offering a mouthwatering selection of Gozitian and Italian specialties.

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

Malta and Gozo are blessed with a subtropical Mediterranean climate; summers are generally hot and dry, winters mild, and autumns warm and sporadically wet. Malta's average annual temperature of 18-19degC is amongst the highest in Europe, and significant temperature fluctuations are rare. Being islands however, they can face strong winds coming off the sea, particularly in the springtime, which can make it feel a little chilly.

In the Summer months of June, July and August the average daytime temperature is 27 degC, whilst evenings tend to fall more comfortably into the early 20degC. Rain is rare in the Summer, but is possible at the start and end of the season. Nearly three-fourths of the total annual rainfall of about 600 millimeters (24 inches) falls between October and March.

Reviews & community

Great holiday to take in Feb to get away from wet cold UK. Easy walking with a beautiful coastline, hilltop villages and lots of churches to visit.
The hotel was amazing, with cottage style rooms in the gardens, delicious food and a great Spa &amp; Pool.
The local bus stopped outside and we used the local buses to walk in different parts of the island, so convenient and very good value. We did all the suggested walks, we saw some beautiful views and the route notes were all excellent.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Arriving at San Blas bay having walked down a very steep hill, the beauty of the small, sandy, rocky cove in the sunshine was breathtaking. It was well worth the effort of the descent and subsequent ascent (by a different route)

(Bays and Towers walk- we did it on our last day too and had seen almost all the island)

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Lovely hotel even if had to share with film crew.
Staff helpful and attentive.
Pool very relaxing
Enjoyed the spa and facilities

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Hard to answer this

What did you think of your group leader?

Not applicable

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Make sure no film crew in residence!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Plan to explore other than walking really enjoyed the boat trip round the island and swimming in the sea.

Exodus Response

We would like to thank Jacqueline for her review. We were very sorry to learn that her holiday was affected by the film currently being shot in the area surrounding her hotel and we have responded to her directly on the matter.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

walking through the beautiful spring flowers with the pounding sea in our ears. Amazing cliff walks

the food in the hotel was amazing. heated pool was great.

walking through the local's fields and being given freshly picked oranges to enjoy at lunch

What did you think of your group leader?

self guided - good map and notes, helpful and very friendly locals if needed

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

getting the local bus is easy, get a map from the ferry/bus station in the capitol and buy a week ticket for just a few euros so that it is easy to hop on and off. There is a hotel shuttle to Victoria but the local bus is also convenient.

take clothing that will still fit after a week of 3 course meals and enormous, well stocked buffet breakfast.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Gozo is where the people from Malta go on holiday and it is very quiet and relaxed

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!

How do I join the Departure Lounge (forum) in the Exodus Community?

To view the Forums, including the Departure Lounge, you do not need to be member of the Exodus Community, simply click on the Community link at the top of every page and read the posts in their respective sections by entering the Departure Lounge, or one of the other options in the list on the page.

To join in a discussion, if already a member, please sign in to your Exodus website account (not related to booking reservations) to contribute to the Forum. If you are not a member of the Exodus Community, you can register by clicking the 'Sign in' at the top of every webpage and select ‘Register’ within the drop down panel.

When viewing the Forum area of the website, as you scroll through the 'Rooms' which are set out by 'travel months' during the current year within the Departure Lounge. You can then select the 'month' of intended travel, then filter the list of trips that have already been created by fellow travellers to see if your trip is listed. If the trip you are travelling on is not in the list, you can start the process by clicking on the 'Post new forum topic' link above the list on the same page. If you do see your trip within the list, select it to view the 'discussion' by your fellow travellers and you can join in by completing the 'Post your comment' section below the discussion thread.

Please note: there might be slight a delay before your post/comment appears as intended because we moderate what is published on the website.

We hope you enjoy using the Departure Lounge to meet your fellow travellers and continue to contribute right up to the start of your journey with Exodus.

You recently looked at

From the social networks

Exodus Travels
Have you herd the news?
Our International Sales Manager and photography enthusiast Andrew Appleyard is just back from the Masai Mara where ... The news from the Mara plains is that the migration has arrived and our International Sales Manager has captured some superb photos of the action... The Great Migration Through a Lens1 day 7 hours ago.

Responsible travel

We realise that every holiday destination is also
someone else's home and that we should leave places as we found them. Find out
more about how we incorporate
responsible travel into our adventure and activity holidays, and how you
can help by donating to one of our
responsible travel projects